Garment



May 26, 1942. c. ELBERFELD GARMENT Filed Sept. 26, 1941 a nu? m Patented May 26, 1942 `U ET E STAT S ier ifi-ecs* i 2 Claims.

This invention relates to body garments, particularly to breast supporting garments, and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art. The invention will be described especially in connection with brassires, but with the understanding that it applies to other breast supporting garments such as slips, corselets, bathing suits, dresses and the like.

An object of the invention is to keep large breasts in the preferred natural position with the greatest possible comfort and convenience. Another object is to prevent broken tendons and to properly support breasts with broken or unduly extended tendons. Another object is to prevent the disarrangement and discomfort due to breasts slipping below the garment pockets. Another object is to avoid the necessity of drawing the garment excessively tight around the body to keep the breasts in proper position. Another object is to avoid the necessity of keeping the shoulder straps excessively tight to hold the breasts in proper positoin. Another object is to allow freedom of movement of the arms and body without the likelihood ot having the breastsl moved out of proper position. Another object is to permit easy breathing and to avoid cutting or chaiing .which might give rise to cancer or other serious trouble. These and other objects, advantages and features of novelty will be evident from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is an inside view of a brassire embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, which shows the invention applied to a brassire, the body IIJ of the garment is provided with back portions II carrying connecting elements such as hooks I2 and eyes I3. Some adjustment in eiective length may be provided in any usual way. At the lower edge, straps I4 and hooks I5 may be provided for connection to a girdle. At the top, shoulder straps I6 are provided. Pockets II for the breasts are formed by pleating or otherwise, one of the pleats I8, which also serves as reinforcing, being shown for each pocket. The Pockets are separated at the center by a relatively wide reinforcement I9 which serves to keep the breasts spaced from each other.

The parts as thus far described are usualin brassires. But when such a brassire is worn, it gives rise to many discomforts which the present invention avoids. The breasts are not retained properly in the pockets, even when the garment is fastened very tightly around the back and over the shoulders.

AccordingV to" the present invention, there is secured to the garment `a relatively narrow band Z0 which is shorter around the backl than the main garment along its back II. The band 20 may be madeV in two parts' which are connected at their front ends to the reinforcement I9 as" by stitching 2 I. Elastic sections 22 of any suitable strength and length may be secured in the ends of the band 2U to assist in securing it tightly around the body and for providing some resiliency. Hooks 23 and eyes 24 or other suitable means may be provided for securing the ends of the band 20 together.

At approximately the bottom edge of each breast pocket the lower edge of the spaced ends of the band 20 are secured to the body of the garment by rows of stitching 25. This stitching extends across the full width of the pocket or slightly further, leaving the ends of the band free. The upper edge of the band is also left free and this permits the band to be secured underneath the breasts around the body directly over the ribs and below the shoulder blades in a very comfortable and effective manner. The band, in effect, constitutes a partial inner portion of the pocket and, since it is tightly secured4 around the body and under the breasts, it fully prevents the breasts from slipping down out of the pockets. Inasmuch as the band 20 is secured directly around the straight part of the body, it maintains its position even if not drawn very tightly; but if it is dr-awn quite tightly, it will not be uncomfortable and will not chafebecause it is relatively narrow and is well located.

The band 20 is somewhat shorter than the main body of the garment along the back Il, and the latter may be fastened more loosely than when the anchor strap 20 is not provided. Nevertheless, large breasts will be held more effectively and permanently in position than previously.

In use, the anchor band 2l) is rst secured snugly around the body. If it needs to be tightened somewhat, the ends may -be doubled and sewed, as is usual in making garment strap adjustments. In applying, the unstitched upper front edge of the anchor band is placed well up under the breasts and the free ends fastened around the back. Then the body of the brassire is secured around the body over the anchor strap. It need not be drawn very tightly but just enough to be comfortable. The anchor strap largely holds the entire garment in position and, since it is placed on a straight solid part of the body, it effectively holds its position and fully prevents the breasts from slipping down out of the pockets. Only a narrow zone is embraced by the anchor band, hence breathing is unobf said Vband from between the breast pockets to structed. The band is made suciently wide to prevent -cutting or chang.

It is thus seen that the invention provides a simple, elective, hygienic and-attractive support for large breasts. And while one form of garment has been particularly described, it is vto be understood that the'in'vention may have various embodiments within the limits of the priori`V art and the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

the free ends of the band and the lower edge of the band from the breast pockets to its free ends being unattached to said body portion, whereby said bandk will maintain the breasts of the wearer in the breast pockets of the body portion.

2. A garment of the character described comprising in combination, an outer body portion provided with breast pockets and means for securing it around the body and over the breasts, and an anchor band provided with free ends and means for securing said ends together, said band being attached to the inside of the body portion along the lower edge of its length to and across the lower edge of the breast pockets and across l its width between the breast pockets, the upper 1. A'garment of the character described com; t

prising in combinationl an outer relatively Wide body portion provided with breast-receiving pockets and means for securing the .body portion around the body and over the breasts of the wearer, and a relativelyv narrower anchor band provided with free outer ends, said band being attached to the inside of the bodyV portion along the lower edge of its length to and. across the lower edge of the breast pockets and across its Width to the central part of theA body portion between the breast pockets, the upper' edge of 

